FMCSA - Clearinghouse

ARE YOU IN COMPLIANCE YET?

ATTENTION ALL TRUCK DRIVERS WHO HAVE BEEN ISSUED A CDL DRIVER’S LICENSE

A few highlights of the rule that goes into effect on November 18, 2024:

- Clearinghouse-II Final Rule: CDL Downgrades

As required in the Clearinghouse-II final rule, beginning November 18, 2024, State Driver Licensing Agencies (SDLAs) must query the Clearinghouse before issuing, renewing, upgrading, or transferring CDLs and CLPs, and must review a driver’s information when notified by the Clearinghouse of a status change. SDLAs will be required to remove the CDL or CLP privilege from the driver's license of an individual subject to the CMV driving prohibition, which would result in a downgrade of the license until the driver complies with the return-to-duty (RTD) requirements. Read the second Clearinghouse final rule.

Employers with FMCSA Portal accounts: https://clearinghouse.fmcsa.dot.gov

REGISTRATION: CDL DRIVERS: https://clearinghouse.fmcsa.dot.gov

- How do owner-operators meet their Clearinghouse obligations?

An owner-operator (an employer who employs himself or herself as a CDL driver, typically a single-driver operation) is subject to the requirements pertaining to employers as well as those pertaining to drivers. Under the Clearinghouse final rule, an employer who employs himself or herself as a CDL driver must designate a consortium/third-party administrator (C/TPA) to comply with the employer’s Clearinghouse reporting requirements (§ 382.705(b)(6)).